A) The Atlantic slave trade had a detrimental effect on the African continent. In
your essay, discuss the economic, social and political effects of the slave
trade on Africa.
In the search for economic superiority and growth, the Atlantic slave trade forced
Africa into the global economy, disintegrated African states and contributed to social
challenges which Africa would face for years to come. I will discuss the economic,
social and political effects of the Atlantic slave trade on Africa by referring to
empirical data which show substantial evidence that the slave trade hindered Africa’s
economic, political and social growth and development by enslaving the manpower
needed to develop Africa.
The slave trade hindered Africa from economic development because Africa did not
have the workforce or brainpower needed to grow its own economy. Furthermore,
the biggest cause of the economic decline was depopulation of the people of Africa. 1
This was the biggest cause because using African people as slaves caused Africa to
neither have the manpower nor time to produce its own goods.
Nunn (2008) used empirical research and data and found that the areas which had
the most slaves taken from are presently the poorest parts of Africa. 2 Hence, the
depopulation of African people had a direct link to its economic status even in the
20th century because they did not have the time to build an economy which would
stand steadfast throughout the ages.
Moreover, not only did slave trade halt the economy growth of Africa, it also caused
the people of Africa to battle amongst each other. 3 However, even though slave
trading took place in Africa before the Atlantic slave trade and there were battles
amongst the African people, it was the Atlantic slave trade which drastically brought
down the population. The slave trade also changed the resource allocation in Africa
and most importantly, the people used as slaves could not use their manpower to
create wealth from the natural resources of Africa.4 Hence, Africa was prevented
from using its own natural resources. Thus, African people and resources were
exploited for the financial gain of other continents.
Furthermore, the eventual high cost of the transportation of slaves reduced the
incentives needed to build states in Africa. 5 Thus, the trading of slaves stole crucial
time needed to build African infrastructure which was needed to enhance the
1
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
2
N, Nunn, “The Long-Term Effects of Africa’s Slave Trades”, Quarterly Journal of Economics,
(2008), p. 139-176
3
Study Guide for HSY2602, p. 207.
4
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
5
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
your essay, discuss the economic, social and political effects of the slave
trade on Africa.
In the search for economic superiority and growth, the Atlantic slave trade forced
Africa into the global economy, disintegrated African states and contributed to social
challenges which Africa would face for years to come. I will discuss the economic,
social and political effects of the Atlantic slave trade on Africa by referring to
empirical data which show substantial evidence that the slave trade hindered Africa’s
economic, political and social growth and development by enslaving the manpower
needed to develop Africa.
The slave trade hindered Africa from economic development because Africa did not
have the workforce or brainpower needed to grow its own economy. Furthermore,
the biggest cause of the economic decline was depopulation of the people of Africa. 1
This was the biggest cause because using African people as slaves caused Africa to
neither have the manpower nor time to produce its own goods.
Nunn (2008) used empirical research and data and found that the areas which had
the most slaves taken from are presently the poorest parts of Africa. 2 Hence, the
depopulation of African people had a direct link to its economic status even in the
20th century because they did not have the time to build an economy which would
stand steadfast throughout the ages.
Moreover, not only did slave trade halt the economy growth of Africa, it also caused
the people of Africa to battle amongst each other. 3 However, even though slave
trading took place in Africa before the Atlantic slave trade and there were battles
amongst the African people, it was the Atlantic slave trade which drastically brought
down the population. The slave trade also changed the resource allocation in Africa
and most importantly, the people used as slaves could not use their manpower to
create wealth from the natural resources of Africa.4 Hence, Africa was prevented
from using its own natural resources. Thus, African people and resources were
exploited for the financial gain of other continents.
Furthermore, the eventual high cost of the transportation of slaves reduced the
incentives needed to build states in Africa. 5 Thus, the trading of slaves stole crucial
time needed to build African infrastructure which was needed to enhance the
1
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
2
N, Nunn, “The Long-Term Effects of Africa’s Slave Trades”, Quarterly Journal of Economics,
(2008), p. 139-176
3
Study Guide for HSY2602, p. 207.
4
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
5
W. Warren. "The transatlantic slave trade and the evolution of political authority in West
Africa," MPRA Paper, (2012), p4.
